Busy week for Maciocia

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JONATHAN HUNTINGTON -- Edmonton Sun

Oct 8, 2005

, Last Updated: 12:39 PM ET

It has been a long week for Danny Maciocia.

"What takes a lot of energy is trying to execute that trade," said the Edmonton Eskimo head coach, who pulled off a much-talked about blockbuster deal on Wednesday, acquiring all-stars Troy Davis and Dan Comiskey for two players and a draft pick.

"There were times when I thought it was done. There were times when I thought it wasn't going to get done.

"You are on a roller-coaster ride. And as you are focusing all your energy there, you still have a game to prepare for."

For the second straight day, Maciocia worked last night at Eskimo headquarters with Davis, getting him familiar with the offensive playbook.

"It's him or my wife," joked Maciocia about his Friday evening social calendar. "I think (Troy) can help me a little bit more than my wife can on Monday."

A final decision on whether Davis is placed on the roster won't be made until this afternoon, but Davis firmly believes he can run the ball Monday against the Argos in Toronto.

SHORT YARDAGE: This is the first time Maciocia has coached Davis, but it didn't take long to figure out the running back isn't exactly a rah-rah type of player in practice.

Davis is rather quiet, letting his play do the talking.

"You start wondering: Are you really happy to be here? But then I started realizing, I got a quarterback (Ricky Ray) that is the same way," said Maciocia.

STALLED SPENCER: It has been a fall to forget for Randy Spencer, who led the Eskimos in sacks last season.

The non-import tackle suffered a torn calf muscle against the Calgary Stampeders in early September.

"I tried to rehab that and came back (to play the next week)...but I used my other leg a little too much.

"Now I have two torn calf (muscles) and that is all she wrote."

Spencer is on the shelf this week and likely next week.

LATE HITS: Maciocia has several roster decisions to make today. Watch for safety Kelly Wiltshire to be activated after missing last week because of a knee injury.

"He's always talking, always communicating ... and that's good to hear someone like that, just calling out and barking out signals," said the head coach. "Communication is half the battle out there."